Chair: Donald Macgregor
Elected members: Ken Crichton, Ken Fraser, Ian Goudie,
Hugh Gray, Helen Lawrie, Chris Lesurf, Pete Lindsay, Dennis Macdonald,
Joseph Peterson, Frank Riddell, Archie Strachan, Cynthia Tero,
Chris Young
Nominated/Coopted members: Caroline Jack, Bill Sangster
Students' Association: none
Fife Councillors: Sheila Hill, Jane Ann Liston, Frances
Melville
Apologies: Lindsay Murray, Maries Cassells
Richard Batchelor spoke on several related projects arising from his work with the university Geology dept.
The Geology Wall is described in the Agenda appendix A. He envisages this will be placed in some close, park or field about town. Perhaps Bow Butts might be a suitable central location, as it is the start for one of the proposed geology trails, but there is no fixed proposal at the moment and he'd welcome suggestions.
He spoke mainly about the Building Stone trail, illustrated on a large map which also showed current and proposed locations for historical information plaques.
He also mentioned the Virtual Geology project - Fife geology via computer, possibly on the internet so it can be accessed from schools, libraries and by individuals.
While there are some plaques commemorating those involved in the development of geology (Chambers in the Scores, Brewster in St Leonard's) Mr Batchelor suggested three more be erected: Heddle at St Leonard's, Nicholson at 172 South St (next to the West Part) and Lapworth at either Alfred Pl or Madras College. These plaques would be the standard white-on-blue descriptive plaques (15x10 inches).
In discussion both Kinburn Park and the Gateway centre were suggested as possible locations for the wall. A suggestion that the Planning Committee should investigate possible sites was rejected as the committee has plenty to do with planning matters alrady, though of course any application relating to the wall etc will be dealt with through the normal course of the planning system.
Asked whether the Geology Department itself was backing these ideas he made it clear that this is entirely his own work so far. Suggestions for other bodies to approach for advice were the Museums Service and the Tourist Board.
PC Cumming gave a brief report and answered questions.
No attacks on people in the street reported in the last month. It seems that the increased presence of police on the streets recently has helped suppress problems. It is hoped that this will last after the extra cover is withdrawn.
There has been an increase in the number of cases of drinking in the street, in part due to the increased patrols finding more incidents. Many of these were quite blatant, possibly testing the limits of police tolerance.
He warned that there is a high level of thefts in town at the moment. Some young people have been caught, charged and appeared before the courts but are still at large. People should beware.
Speeding: mobile cameras have caught 10 offenders in Buchanan Gardens and more on the St Andrews-Largoward road. Suggestions for other locations to PC Cumming.
There is an advanced driving course for drivers aged 17-20. Sponsorship has brought the costs down to £45 - about half the full price. Information from the Police Station and posters about town.
Chris Lesurf asked about control of traffic in the vicinity of road works, referring to queuing due to current works in City Road and en route to Guardbridge. This is the responsibility of Fife Council Roads dept. The police only step in if there is a specific problem (ie an accident).
Phylis Wilson and Jacqui Crush gave further information on this project, the Wonder Years pre-school Nursery.
Last month concern was expressed on the location of the proposed building, described as being in the middle of the current car parking area. It was pointed out that the building is to one end of the area, and a copies of the plans circulated to confirm this. They pointed out that they could not answer the concerns expressed by several community councillors last month on whether private business should be allowed to develop on public (Fife Council) land - it would be up to Fife Council to comment on their policy.
Responding to the queries as to whether nursery education was necessary they circulated an extract of the government's document "Meeting the Childcare Challenge - a summary" supporting nursery education, pointed out their mission statement (also circulated) and read out an extract from Fife Council's The Fifer supporting nursery education.
On safety, a major concern last month, they pointed out that the site is one of the safest possible in St Andrews, not being adjacent to a road and there being no access to a road by the children whose external play area will be surrounded by a 6ft safety fence. Additionally a CCTV cameras cover all areas. In all the design meets and exceeds current safety standards for such buildings.
In the discussion following the presentation several community councillors were at pains to point out they were not against nursery education, but that their concerns were over the site itself which they believed would be better kept unused in case the opportunity to build leisure facilities should arise, as this would serve a greater number of people. Again Jacqui Crush had to point out that they had looked for the safest site, that they had followed procedures in negotiating with the council for the use of the land and that questions of policy on the use of the land for recreation or otherwise was a matter for the council to answer. Cllr Frances Melville informed the meeting that there had been a number of enquiries about possible recreational development by various large leisure groups over the years, but that none had gone forward. Murdo Macdonald had heard that the routing of pipes to the sewage works made any large development difficult. The nursery team confirmed that their plans had had to take this into account.
Philip Bently spoke on this student-led project to improve safety primarily in university areas, but also in those parts of town frequented by students or used as thoroughfares. In particular the Fife Park-Andrew Melville Hall-University Hall triangle and Kinburn Park were identified. Other areas could be included if someone would agree to co-ordinate in that area. The campaign's mission statement paper was circulated.
Cynthia Tero's remarks in general were only intended as querying the planning aspects of the nursery, not specifically against the nursery. The third point attributed to her was an aside, not intended as a contribution to the debate.
Wording clarified from ...the approach of Cupar Community Council... to ...the approach taken by Cupar Community Council...
for programmer read programme.
The Minutes were accepted as amended.
There followed some discussion of minuting procedure arising from events following last meeting, when various community councillors were phoned about remarks made at the meeting and reported in the press. Pete Lindsay, as secretary, had been approached for information and contact details by a member of the public. He gave the inquirer information from his notes (the basis of the minutes) but emphasised that the minutes were not ready, and gave the requested contact details of community councillors.
Joseph Peterson, as one of those subsequently contacted, asked what the procedure and timescale was for circulating minutes as he'd been unsure of what had been made public.
The Secretary aims to produce rough draft minutes the weekend following the monthly meeting(production of Event allowing). These are marked 'Draft', circulated informally at meetings and placed on the Community Council section of the Secretary's own website for those with internet access to review [14 out of 28 total membership of this Community Council at 1/3/99 -PL]. Any corrections are incorporated in the printed minutes circulated with the next meeting's agenda. This agenda/minutes bundle goes to all members of the community council and the town library.
[For the record, copies also go to: Fife Council local office, Police, press, and any member of the public who has expressed an interest - PL]
Hugh Gray expressed concern at the use of the internet for the draft minutes and that the public could see uncorrected minutes. Frank Riddell pointed out that this represented an improvement in the service as the draft of the minutes are available earlier than before. The previous secretary, Ken Fraser, confirmed that his practice was that the minutes and agenda circulated before meetings and lodged in the library, etc, were the pre-approval version.
After some suggestions that the draft minutes be emailed around lest the public should see them it was agreed that provided the word Draft was included in the titles of the internet document this would be acceptable.
A number of people commented that as the meeting is public any remark made and record of it is already in the public domain.
Hugh Gray proposed that Fife Council be consulted as to good practice in minute circulation. This was agreed by the meeting.
Pete Lindsay to investigate
No one was able to make a commitment to attend Castle Furniture meetings in Cupar.
Murdo Macdonald ask if there were any other quotes? Helen Lawrie explained that the supplier quoting had been the only one recommended in response to her several enquiries with the Museum, churches and other users of noticeboards of the general design sought.
Archie Strachan suggested that at least one competing quote should be sought, Murdo Macdonald suggested Henderson Fabrication at Scooniehill be approached.
Archie Strachan also suggested approaching the Children's Library for access to some of their window space.
Publicity Ctte to seek further quotes and report
Circulated by Frank Riddell for information. Murdo Macdonald suggested that the real thing should contain feedback space/coupon.
Hugh Gray asked how it would be circulated and was informed that this was merely a mock-up, for information, Publicity Committee is still investigating various practical aspects. Various people then made helpful suggestions.
Donald Macgregor has been accepted as member of the CARF on our behalf.
Passed to Secretary to reject politely.
Pete Lindsay to write
for various individuals <Check details with Archie> passed to 200 Club for consideration
Gave details of Coffee Morning 20th March, Victory Memorial Hall.
5.1.5. Cosmos Rep
Cynthia Tero wishes to hand over as our rep on the Cosmos Community Centre management committee. Chris Lesurf volunteered to take over.
End of financial year approaches, anyone with administrative expense claims please make them as soon as possible.
Meeting agreed Declaration of Arbroath day to UN day as suggested, added St Andrews Week.
Cynthia Tero asked about a flag at the West Port for St Andrews Week. Secretary to write to Historic Scotland.
Pete Lindsay to write
Cllr Jane Ann Liston reported that there is a meeting for objectors to the cycle lanes scheme 18th March 4pm Local Office.
Ian Goudie reported that the recent Tourism Forum meeting had heard there was no agreement between Fife Council and the landowners over the sale of land on the route the Leuchars-St Andrews cycle path. He added that the Fife Coastal Path was to run along the cycle-path - several hundred yards from the coast in some places, indeed omitting the West Sands - the biggest beach in Fife...
The report was accepted.
No meeting.
Mrs Betty Sullivan has again brought the problem of golf buggies using pedestrian footpaths on the links to our attention.
Some members felt this was not a serious problem, being due to the state of the buggy tracks at this time of year. Others pointed out that use of the footpaths by cycles or skateboards would be regarded as a problem by many on community council, so use by motorised buggies must be worse.
Meeting agreed that the Golf Representative should take this up with the Links Trust.
Murdo Macdonald to investigate
No meeting
Murdo Macdonald reported that the cost of hiring a band for a dance in the town hall would be in the order of £1,500-£1,800. He asked if the council was prepared to underwrite a loss on any such event. Archie Strachan, as Treasurer, pointed out that we could not afford it ourselves, so sponsorship would be required. Murdo Macdonald replied that approaches were being made but, as Ken Crichton observed, there was nothing firm yet for which to ask sponsorship.
Pete Lindsay asked about other events that had been mooted at an early stage, such as disco(s) in the Victory Memorial Hall. Ken Crichton explained that idea had been dropped as the committee was only big enough to manage one event. Murdo Macdonald added that they hadn’t been able to find anyone to run a disco anyway.
Several suggestions were made as to what sort of event should be run and where the committee should enquire for a band - Operatic Society, Boys Brigade etc.
Pete Lindsay proposed that if no firm event could be arranged by the May meeting the idea be dropped and the committee focus on the other millennium projects. No one disagreed.
The report of the Millennium Committee was accepted.
Ian Goudie circulated the report of the planning committee.
Clr Frances Melville reported that Scottish Homes funding for affordable housing was looking more promising.
Frank Riddell drew attention to the Planning Committee's fears over the explicit use of cycle lanes for traffic calming in contravention of safety guidelines on cycle lanes. Ian Goudie expanded on this and pointed out that Canongate is not wide enough to support the minimum recommended width of cycle and motor vehicle lanes.
Joseph Peterson asked if the parents could be persuaded to park/drop off their children more responsibly. Cllr Sheila Hill pointed out that the School Board has been campaigning for years to get responsible parking. Parents are parking badly anyway and resist all attempts to persuade them to behave better. Dennis Macdonald suggested that the Botanic Garden's carpark be made available and a path to the school built. Cllr Hill said this had been considered but that attempts to get parents to park there had been unsuccessful so far.
Pete Lindsay reported that the pavement width did meet the rule-of-thumb guidelines of one double child buggy width (2m approx) spare beyond the proposed table area.
The glossy finalised report has arrived.
The planning report was accepted
The recreation report was accepted
£50 Mrs Crow, £30 Mr Buchanan, £20 Dr JD Haldane, £15 Mr TD Forster.
Caroline Jack reported that the drop-in centres in the Victory Memorial Hall and Cosmos Centre have been well supported.
Cllrs Liston and Melville have met with Jim Birrell of the Planning Service who told them that several schemes for the development of the garden had been proposed but that none had been suitable to reach the stage of a formal application. This might change if the gardens at 2 & 3 were acquired by the owner of no. 1. On the current state of the garden, there is now improved legislation on eyesores such as rubbish and dumping so it may be possible to apply pressure.
Raised the renaming of the Lade Braes to Lade Braes Walk in some street signs. Meeting agreed this is a bad precedent if deliberate and unfortunate if a mistake. Secretary to write to Roads Dept.
Pete Lindsay to write
The Business Club of St Andrews has been looking into getting this going. Fife Council Estates Dept suggested that the Common Good Fund might pay for the restoration, though the cost runs into thousands of pounds.
This is open to any resident of St Andrews, the next meeting is 7.15, Local Office, April 7th.
List of student-occupied addresses have been passed to Locality Manager and Cleansing & Waste Mgmt dept for special end-of-term collections.
Frank Riddell claimed that the national press was now taking up the problem of the number of golf developments in the St Andrews area. He called on Fife Councillors to get officials to come up with a policy on such development rather than suffer piecemeal responses to each application. Hugh Gray insisted that he'd asked this first.
Cllr Jane Ann Liston pointed out that a strategic policy would be decided by Fife Council's Strategic Development committee which is dominated by the other parts of fife.
Cynthia Tero complained about the speed of cars by the new roundabout for the Lawhead development.